The Co-operative Republic of Guyana, simply known as Guyana, gives you many reasons to plan a long-haul holiday in this part of the world.
The country which lies on South America's North Atlantic coast is the only English-speaking nation in South America. Despite its location, it is culturally connected to the Caribbean region.
The country is the home of some top international names such as Sir Shridath Ramphal who was the Commonwealth Secretary General between 1975 and 1990, cricket legends Clive Lloyd, Alvin Kallicharan, Shiv Chanderpaul, Rohan Kanhai, model Shakira Caine and singer Eddy Grant among others.
But that is not the only reason why visitors throng Guyana, which is often referred to as God's Garden because of its outstanding natural beauty.
It has the world's largest and dense virgin rainforests covering over 75 per cent of the country making it an undiscovered, unspoilt, untouched and a pristine destination that offers raw adventure.
With a wealth of natural beauty, diversity and some of the world's largest, rarest and spectacular animals, a holiday in Guyana promises to be an unforgettable experience. It is also known as the Land of Many Waters because of its long coast, many rivers and waterfalls.
A visit to the majestic Kaieteur Falls is a must. This is one of the world's largest single drop and most powerful waterfalls. Every second, 136,200 litres of water thunders over a precipice of 250 metres into a basin, to create a big white mass of foam.
The falls are in a prominent part of the Kaieteur National Park, in the centre of two-billion-year-old Guiana Shield which is considered as the earth's oldest surface.
The Iwokrama rainforest in central Guyana is one of the world's last frontier forests waiting for adventurers seeking a truly unique experience.
It is a vast wilderness of some one million acres — a protected area and the homeland of the Makushi tribe who have used the forest for generations.
The Iwokrama International Centre, which is based there, runs a unique tourism and sustainable development project for the benefit of the Makushi people.
They receive community development and training at the centre which in turn helps boost the local economy and accruing benefits from forest use and conservation.
The Iwokrama River Lodge facing the mighty Essequibo River has comfortable cabins where tourists can relax in a hammock on the veranda and enjoy a pristine view of the river.
This river's length is punctuated by 365 islands and graced by sparkling white sandy beaches and picturesque resorts.
The lodge is also the launching point for adventures such as canopy walkway, visit to Butterfly Farm, Fairview Village Petroglyphs, Indian House Island, hike to the tough Turtle Mountain, Kurupukari Rapids and Nocturnal Caiman River Cruise.
Even though Guyana sits on a large expanse of land, it has a population of 799,613 according to the World Bank.
The majority of the people live in or near the capital Georgetown.
Far from being among skyscraper cities that I have visited in other parts of the world, Georgetown is more like a big town.
Even though it is laid-back, Georgetown has its own charm though the country's interior regions attract more tourists because of the variety of places to visit.
Called the garden city because of its greenery, Georgetown has colonial style wooden buildings. The city is also the home to the world's largest wooden structure — the Gothic inspired St George Cathedral which is an interesting place to visit.
With parrots flying overhead, horses pulling carts, amazing markets and a wide variety of cafés and restaurants, the city has something for everyone.
The Stabroek Market, with its cast-iron building and corrugated iron clock tower, is one of the city's most prominent landmarks. It is very popular with locals because of an amazing variety of goods on sale there.
The city's Botanical Garden is popular with tourists as it is an introduction to Guyana's birdlife.
Guyana has a rich cultural fusion which is truly unique and full of energy, life and diversity.
In the bygone era of explorations, voyages, slavery and indentured labour, many nations came to Guyana and brought their ethnic values and cultures with them.
Their diverse cultures created a fusion that to this day stimulates Guyana's cultural dimensions through worship and cultural events and festivals.
Indians form 49 per cent of the population followed by African-Caribbean, mixed race people, Amerindians (indigenous people from the Americas).
With its cultural melting point of different people, you can taste delectable cuisines from cassava bread and pepper-pot to sea food, rich Indian curries, calorie-laden sweets and Chinese dishes in the local restaurants.
A must try on the list is The Eldorado, the 12-year old rum that was voted among the best in the world.
